by Jen Mallia
Last updated: 11:55 AM ET, Fri January 23, 2026
Over the holiday season, the federal government ran a second edition of the Canada Strong Pass, offering free and discounted admission to national museums and Parks Canada sites. Part of the promotion also included free train travel for kids and half price fares for passengers aged 18-24 on VIA Rail.
The rail company has crunched the numbers and declared the winter promotion, which ran from Dec. 12, 2025, through Jan. 15, 2026, a success.
"The winter edition of the Canada Strong Pass once again demonstrated how meaningful accessible rail travel can be for Canadians," said Mathieu Paquette, Lead Executive of VIA Rail. "Whether visiting family, discovering our country's snowy landscapes for the first time, or returning to favourite destinations, passengers embraced the comfort and convenience of travelling by train. We are proud of our teams across Canada who delivered exceptional service throughout this busy season."
VIA shared the following details:
- More than 24,000 bookings made using the pass.
- Over 21 million kilometres travelled, showcasing strong demand for winter rail travel.
- More than $1.9 million saved by Canadians through free and discounted fares.
"Canada in winter is breathtaking and seeing so many Canadians experience it by train is something we celebrate," said Jonathan Goldbloom, Chairperson of VIA Rail's Board of Directors. "The continued success of the Canada Strong Pass reflects both the strength of the program and Canadians' growing desire to rediscover their country in an environmentally responsible way."
The Canada Strong Pass is slated to return for the summer 2026 season.
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